Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
I have troubles with astigmatism and field curvature for visual use in SCT and RC designs. The field always looks gauzy or hazy to me. I discovered that aplanatic designs were (to my eyes) crisper and sharper with better contrast. I used to own an Edge 9.25 which was very satisfactory almost refractor like and would give my Z12 a run for the money on features in bright galaxies. Currently lacking a medium to large Cat in my toolkit I'm considering another Edge or a Vixen VMC design. I had already taken a VMC110L and it's my workhorse for grab and go sessions. But there are significant differences in mechanical design and likely optical fabrication between the smaller VMCs (95 and 110) and the larger ones (200, 260, 330mm). So it seemed prudent as a risk reduction exercise to opt for the VMC200L. The fact that it was on sale with no accessories for under $1k was an offer I couldn't refuse.
So what is the VMC design? Vixen describes it as a "Field Maksutov" design but there are other names for it. "Sub aperture Maksutov" and there are some who prefer to call it a Klevtsov Cassegrain because of some superficial similarities.
A careful study of the VMC layout show significant differences! The Klevtsov design is more complex with a secondary group that consists of a Mangin mirror
Brian Deis of Vixen Optics and MrStarGuy Inc was helpful in answering a few questions about collimation mechanics, The order was placed and the OTA arrived swiftly.
Here is the scope just out of the box.
A look down the open end of the tube reveals zero dust or debris.
Despite first light being in a brightly lit suburban area the scope performed as expected. Will continue to a dark site observing opportunity ASAP so I can compare with the Edge design. This scope is definitely a keeper on its own merits though.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
Congratulations! I have been very happy with mine. What diagonal are you using? I use the TeleVue Everbrite dialectric.
I know you like Panoptics. I often use my TeleVue 22 mm Panoptic with it, unfortunately a discontinued EP. I would like to try either the 27 or 35 Panoptic.
Voyageur wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 6:56 pm
Congratulations! I have been very happy with mine. What diagonal are you using? I use the TeleVue Everbrite dialectric.
I know you like Panoptics. I often use my TeleVue 22 mm Panoptic with it, unfortunately a discontinued EP. I would like to try either the 27 or 35 Panoptic.
For first light I borrowed the Stellarvue 2" diagonal. I have the Vixen flip mirror but haven't tried it out yet. There's likely a dedicated diagonal lurking in the future.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
A very nice looking telescope nFA, I hope the views are as good as it looks!
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss The only culture I have is from yogurt My day was going well until... people
nFA, that is a stunning looking scope! Good for you on the purchase, and glad you're so far happy with it. Must go read your first light report; hopefully no neighborhood hounds...
"farewell to cleanliness" So true!
All the best,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4 & AZ-EQ5 mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D.
Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 8:29 pm
A very nice looking telescope nFA, I hope the views are as good as it looks!
Weather isn’t going to cooperate for some days, perhaps a week. I’m going to compare lunar/ planetary with the MK66 and evaluate nebulae from a proper dark site.
Thefatkitty wrote: ↑Mon May 11, 2020 8:37 pm
nFA, that is a stunning looking scope! Good for you on the purchase, and glad you're so far happy with it. Must go read your first light report; hopefully no neighborhood hounds...
"farewell to cleanliness" So true!
All the best,
Thanks! The hound population has decreased by one.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
I believe you will like it. The one I tried was sharp and had great contrast. The fat vanes show a bit strong though. The Vixen really liked a Nagler 22 and Pentax 10.
OK since I've decided that the VMC200L is a keeper, I've been accessorizing. A shout out to Brian Deis at Vixen Optics NA / Mr Star Guy who helped me correct some errors in judgement with regarded to the balance issues I mentioned up thread. I didn't want to get rid of the super handy handle and install tube rings so for the balance issues I chose magnets and weights.
notFritzArgelander wrote: ↑Fri Dec 25, 2020 7:10 pm
OK since I've decided that the VMC200L is a keeper, I've been accessorizing......
So now I am ready to travel!
Looks like a fine set of accessories!
Where will the first location on the itinerary be?
Regards
Graeme
It looks like I’m going to be able to try the COVID-19 vaccine early. Family in SLC first then dark sites in UT and NM maybe SW CO. The plan is to find a better place for living and observing. I’ll take a refractor too, the SV or the TS.
Scopes: Refs: Orion ST80, SV 80EDA f7, TS 102ED f11 Newts: AWB 130mm, f5, Z12 f5; Cats: VMC110L, Intes MK66,VMC200L f9.75 EPs: KK Fujiyama Orthoscopics, 2x Vixen NPLs (40-6mm) and BCOs, Baader Mark IV zooms, TV Panoptics, Delos, Plossl 32-8mm. Mixed brand Masuyama/Astroplans Binoculars: Nikon Aculon 10x50, Celestron 15x70, Baader Maxbright. Mounts: Star Seeker IV, Vixen Porta II, Celestron CG5
I hope all goes well and the location scouting is a success
See Far Sticks: Antares Elita 103/1575, AOM FLT 105/1000, Bresser BV 127/1200, Nočný stopár 152/1200, Vyrobené doma 70/700, Stellarvue NHNG DX 80/552, TAL RS100/1000, Vixen SD115s/885 EQ: TAL MT-1, Vixen SXP, AXJ, AXD Az/Alt: AYO Digi II/ Argo Navis, Stellarvue M2C/ Argo Navis Tripods: Berlebach Planet (2), Uni 28 Astro, Report 372, TAL factory maple, Vixen ASG-CB90, Vixen AXD-TR102 Diagonals: Astro-Physics, Baader Amici, Baader Herschel, iStar Blue, Stellarvue DX, Takahashi prism, TAL, Vixen flip mirror Eyepieces: Antares to Zeiss The only culture I have is from yogurt My day was going well until... people